Build Your SaaS

Dave Zohrob is the co-founder of Chartable (a podcast analytics startup), talks about selling his company to Spotify in February 2022. Highlights (go straight to 🔥 for the best stuff):1:00 – What's the Spotify office in New York like?5:24 – Dave's first startup: he started an indie record label (Tellall Records)7:12 – Founding in Chartable in 20178:00 – Behind the scenes: talking to Chris Enns (our editor at Lemon Productions)9:50 – Dave's first business as a kid: publishing programming tutorials on the internet (Qbasic.com)12:25 – What made you want to make money on the internet?14:25 – Do all geeks have the intuition to start a business? (Justin's tweet) 🔥19:23 – What's your real motivation for building a startup? 🔥24:28 – Side-projects vs Bootstrapping vs Venture Funding (VC) 🔥30:12 – Once you choose the VC-funded path, what's it like? 🔥32:00 – The huge risk/cost for founders with families 🔥34:30 – Public health insurance is the best way to boost entrepreneurship36:30 – Bootstrappers and VC-funded founders have this same anxiety 🔥40:00 – What it's like joining a massive company as a small 11-person company? 🔥48:10 – What's next in podcast ad tech, analytics, and attribution 🔥What should we talk about next?Twitter: @buildyoursaas, @mijustin, @jonbuda, @jsonpearl, and @helenrylesLeave a review/comment on Podchaser; it's like Reddit, but for podcasts.Email us: support@transistor.fmThanks to our monthly supporters:Jason CharnesMitchell Davis from RecruitKit.com.auMarcel Fahle, ​​wearebold.afAlex PayneBill CondoAnton Zorin from ProdCamp.comHarris Kenny, Intro CRM podcastOleg KulykEthan GundersonWard Sandler, MemberspaceRussell Brown, Photivo.comNoah PrailColin GrayAustin LovelessMichael SitverPaul Jarvis and Jack Ellis, FathomDan BudaDarby FreyAdam DuVanderDave Giunta (JOOnta)Kyle Fox GetRewardful.com Thanks to our monthly supporters Pascal from sharpen.page Rewardful.com Greg Park Mitchell Davis from RecruitKit.com.au Marcel Fahle, wearebold.af Bill Condo (@mavrck) Ward from MemberSpace.com Evandro Sasse Austin Loveless Michael Sitver Colin Gray Dave Giunta Want to start a podcast on Transistor? Justin has a special coupon for you: get 15% off your first year of hosting: transistor.fm/justin ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Patrick Campbell just sold his startup, ProfitWell, to Paddle for $200 million.Highlights (go straight to 🔥 for the best stuff):0:00 – "My problem is I'm always curious if other people are living a better dream than me."1:30 – The major downside to bootstrapping is the lack of network2:20 – Selling ProfitWell to Paddle, and integrating the two teams.4:15 – How ProfitWell got started (2012)6:00 – Initially three co-founders (Crunchbase)7:20 – Patrick's background (what he did before ProfitWell)10:10 – What did bootstrapping ProfitWell look like? (How much did each founder invest?)14:15 – Do you want to be a lifestyle company or a "big ass company?" 🔥15:55 – What salary did Patrick pay himself? (Tweet) 🔥18:25 – Differences between Patrick (ProfitWell) and Josh Pigford (Baremetrics) 🔥21:45 – Should bootstrapped companies go freemium and try to "win the market?" 🔥26:40 – The characteristics of your market determine most of your outcomes 🔥🔥29:24 – "Don't underestimate the velocity and size of your market." 🔥34:35 – What doe the average SaaS company spend on sales and marketing? 🔥37:39 – Pricing your SaaS discussion 🔥42:45 – Why competitors entering a new market can be better for your company. 🔥47:10 – Should bootstrapped companies try to "own the market?" 🔥52:10 – "We're in the second phase of SaaS: here's what's coming next." 🔥61:53 – Did ProfitWell employees have equity?What should we talk about next?Twitter: @buildyoursaas, @mijustin, @jonbuda, @jsonpearl, and @helenrylesEmail us: support@transistor.fm Thanks to our monthly supporters Pascal from sharpen.page Rewardful.com Greg Park Mitchell Davis from RecruitKit.com.au Marcel Fahle, wearebold.af Bill Condo (@mavrck) Ward from MemberSpace.com Evandro Sasse Austin Loveless Michael Sitver Colin Gray Dave Giunta Want to start a podcast on Transistor? Justin has a special coupon for you: get 15% off your first year of hosting: transistor.fm/justin ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Philippe Lehoux and his two co-founders started working on Missive around 2015, and just passed $2 million in annual recurring revenue.0:00 – Getting to know Philippe, and what it's like living in Quebec3:09 – How Missive got started: "how can we quickly collaborate on an email as a team?"8:15 – How they get most of their customers10:30 – How their first product (Conference Badge), funded the development of Missive13:55 – How the market dictates most of your success16:30 – How they deal with competitors28:00 – Another example: Crisp is competing head-to-head with Intercom30:25 – Why indie startups should compete on priceWhat should we talk about next?Twitter: @buildyoursaas, @mijustin, @jonbuda, @jsonpearl, and @helenrylesLeave a review/comment on Podchaser; it's like Reddit, but for podcasts.Email us: support@transistor.fmThanks to our monthly supporters:Jason CharnesMitchell Davis from RecruitKit.com.auMarcel Fahle, ​​wearebold.afAlex PayneBill CondoAnton Zorin from ProdCamp.comMitchHarris Kenny, Intro CRM podcastOleg KulykEthan GundersonChris WillowWard Sandler, MemberspaceRussell Brown, Photivo.comNoah PrailColin GrayAustin LovelessMichael SitverPaul Jarvis and Jack Ellis, FathomDan BudaDarby FreyBrad from CanadaAdam DuVanderDave Giunta (JOOnta)Kyle Fox GetRewardful.com Thanks to our monthly supporters Pascal from sharpen.page Rewardful.com Greg Park Mitchell Davis from RecruitKit.com.au Marcel Fahle, wearebold.af Bill Condo (@mavrck) Ward from MemberSpace.com Evandro Sasse Austin Loveless Michael Sitver Colin Gray Dave Giunta Want to start a podcast on Transistor? Justin has a special coupon for you: get 15% off your first year of hosting: transistor.fm/justin ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Taylor Otwell, is the founder of Laravel, a programming framework for PHP. But he's also one of the most successful indie SaaS operators I know. In this episode we discuss:0:30 – Taylor is changing how he hires and manages people at Laravel6:01 – How Taylor is finding new employees to work on Forge, Vapor, and his other products7:34 – The Laravel ecosystem has incubated incredible talent: Miguel Piedrafita, Caleb Porzio, Adam Wathan, Aaron Francis, Jack Ellis...10:03 – More and more indie SaaS apps are being built in Laravel10:48 – When is the next Laracon conference?13:11 – Taylor Otwell has the classic bootstrap success story14:28 – Laravel has been running too lean17:00 – What's it like to work as a developer at Laravel? (pair programming)18:33 – How Taylor does product development22:08 – "I haven't told anyone this yet, but I actually considered selling Laravel this past year." Here's why Taylor decided not to sell.26:30 – How do you deal with internet fame, and being a "known person?" 28:59 – Dealing with haters on Twitter31:50 – What is the future of web development, and the full-stack developer? What is the future of Ruby on Rails and Laravel?35:53 – Building excitement around PHP and Laravel with young people.42:13 – What inspires kids to get into programming? When it's fun, easy, accessible. This is why so many people started with Hypercard, Microsoft Access, PHP, Adobe Flash...What should we talk about next?Twitter: @buildyoursaas, @mijustin, @jonbuda, @jsonpearl, and @helenrylesEmail us: support@transistor.fm Thanks to our monthly supporters Pascal from sharpen.page Rewardful.com Greg Park Mitchell Davis from RecruitKit.com.au Marcel Fahle, wearebold.af Bill Condo (@mavrck) Ward from MemberSpace.com Evandro Sasse Austin Loveless Michael Sitver Colin Gray Dave Giunta Want to start a podcast on Transistor? Justin has a special coupon for you: get 15% off your first year of hosting: transistor.fm/justin ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

The podcast discusses the importance of customer support for indie SaaS companies. They talk about their experience with customer support and success. They explore the evolution of customer support and the benefits of live chat support. They also discuss product quality, scalability, and addressing customer tickets. The hosts share tips on providing helpful resources and streamlining support. They talk about determining the right time to hire for customer support and their daily routine for team communication.

We got the whole band together: Helen and Jason join Jon and Justin to talk about what it's really like to work at TransistorHelen, Jason, Jon, Justin, all squeezed into the podcasting closet to make an episode0:55 Jason's first podcast ever1:12 Helen's been on other podcasts: Startups for the Rest of Us, Indie Bites, Indie Worldwide3:06 Should we invest in the "auto publish to YouTube" feature?Tom Webster: why would people listen to podcasts on YouTube?13:32 The best features the ones that feel like "magic" when a customer uses them18:46 The "wait and see" product development philosophy20:15 A new podcast website builder CMS and website designs23:34 Writing a new templating language in Liquid (Shopify)26:23 Our new CLI tool: receiver (built with Go)31:30 Making a few new podcast website themes31:57 Adding language localization for podcast websites (English, French, Spanish)34:30 How we run our weekly team meetings35:44 New podcast website themes are out! (YouTube demo)40:39 For next week: what questions do you have for @jsonpearl and @helenryles?42:16 Patreon shout outsWhat should we talk about next?Twitter: @buildyoursaas, @mijustin, @jonbuda, @jsonpearl, and @helenrylesLeave a review/comment on Podchaser; it's like Reddit, but for podcasts.Email us: support@transistor.fm Thanks to our monthly supporters Pascal from sharpen.page Rewardful.com Greg Park Mitchell Davis from RecruitKit.com.au Marcel Fahle, wearebold.af Bill Condo (@mavrck) Ward from MemberSpace.com Evandro Sasse Austin Loveless Michael Sitver Colin Gray Dave Giunta Want to start a podcast on Transistor? Justin has a special coupon for you: get 15% off your first year of hosting: transistor.fm/justin ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Jon and Justin recorded this episode sitting on the same couch!Photo of the Coeur de BoeufThe last time we were together in person: April 30, 2019 [Photo]2022 roadmap planning. We're exploring what we'd like to accomplish this year. Update and improve the podcast website builderBuild new podcast website templates based on LiquidAdd tools that help podcasters promote their showContinue to improve our Dynamic Audio Insertion featuresCreate new features that help podcasters monetize their showSales/marketing planning:Reaching out to major affiliates to see how we can better partner with themLooking at ways of rewarding our customers for referring through RewardfulFreemium?Employees/company stuff Options: CartaBenefitsPossible hiringFuture:Long-term, we’re looking at an acquisition: what do we need to do to build up to that?What should we talk about next?Twitter: @buildyoursaas, @mijustin, @jonbudaLeave a review/comment on Podchaser; it's like Reddit, but for podcasts.Email us: mail@transistor.fmThanks to our monthly supporters:Marcel Fahle, ​​wearebold.afAlex PayneBill CondoAnton Zorin from ProdCamp.comMitchHarris Kenny, Intro CRM podcastOleg KulykEthan GundersonChris WillowWard Sandler, MemberspaceRussell Brown, Photivo.comNoah PrailColin GrayAustin LovelessMichael SitverPaul Jarvis and Jack Ellis, FathomDan BudaDarby FreyBrad from CanadaAdam DuVanderDave Giunta (JOOnta)Kyle Fox GetRewardful.com Thanks to our monthly supporters Pascal from sharpen.page Rewardful.com Greg Park Mitchell Davis from RecruitKit.com.au Marcel Fahle, wearebold.af Bill Condo (@mavrck) Ward from MemberSpace.com Evandro Sasse Austin Loveless Michael Sitver Colin Gray Dave Giunta Want to start a podcast on Transistor? Justin has a special coupon for you: get 15% off your first year of hosting: transistor.fm/justin ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Jon and Justin reflect on 2021 and get excited about 2022:Rework podcast episode: the word "startup"Should we rename the show "Maintain your SaaS"? ;)Biggest highlights: hiring Helen and JasonGiving employees generous bonusesJustin's list of non-alcoholic drinksCaptivate (one of our competitors) was just acquiredDifferent types of founder stressShould we sell our company? Our friends at Rewardful were just acquiredPlans and features for 2022What happened in 2021?January: Clubhouse got popularMarch 2021: send private podcast episodes by emailApril 2021: we hired HelenApril-May: new API updates (analytics)July: new podcast analytics charts + compare episodesJuly: add transcripts to episodesAugust 2021: we hired JasonSept: first release of DAIOct: Descript integrationNov: DAI mid-rollsBlack Friday. Worth it?Riverside integrationWhat should we talk about next?Twitter: @buildyoursaas, @mijustin, @jonbudaLeave a review/comment on Podchaser; it's like Reddit, but for podcasts.Email us: mail@transistor.fmThanks to our monthly supporters:Marcel Fahle, ​​wearebold.afAnton Zorin from ProdCamp.comMitchHarris Kenny, Intro CRM podcastOleg KulykViolette Du GenevilleTake It EV podcastEthan GundersonDiogoChris WillowBorja SolerWard Sandler, MemberspaceEric LimaJames Sowers (like Flowers)Travis FischerMatt BuckleyRussell BrownEvandro SassePradyumna Shembekar (PD)Noah PrailColin GrayJosh SmithIvan CurkovicShane SmithAustin LovelessSimon BennettMichael SitverPaul Jarvis and Jack Ellis, Dan Buda Darby FreySamori AugustoDave YoungBrad from CanadaSammy SchuckertMike WalkerAdam DuVanderDave Giunta (JOOnta)Kyle Fox GetRewardful.com Thanks to our monthly supporters Pascal from sharpen.page Rewardful.com Greg Park Mitchell Davis from RecruitKit.com.au Marcel Fahle, wearebold.af Bill Condo (@mavrck) Ward from MemberSpace.com Evandro Sasse Austin Loveless Michael Sitver Colin Gray Dave Giunta Want to start a podcast on Transistor? Justin has a special coupon for you: get 15% off your first year of hosting: transistor.fm/justin ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

In this guest episode, Justin chats with Brian Casel.Bootstrapped Web podcastZipMessageBrian's other projectsWhat should we talk about next?Twitter: @buildyoursaas, @mijustin, @jonbudaLeave a review/comment on Podchaser; it's like Reddit, but for podcasts.Email us: mail@transistor.fmThanks to our monthly supporters:Anton Zorin from ProdCamp.comMitchHarris Kenny, Intro CRM podcastOleg KulykViolette Du GenevilleTake It EV podcastEthan GundersonDiogoChris WillowBorja SolerWard Sandler, MemberspaceEric LimaJames Sowers (like Flowers)Travis FischerMatt BuckleyRussell BrownEvandro SassePradyumna Shembekar (PD)Noah PrailColin GrayJosh SmithIvan CurkovicShane SmithAustin LovelessSimon BennettMichael SitverPaul Jarvis and Jack Ellis, Dan Buda Darby FreySamori AugustoDave YoungBrad from CanadaSammy SchuckertMike WalkerAdam DuVanderDave Giunta (JOOnta)Kyle Fox GetRewardful.com Thanks to our monthly supporters Pascal from sharpen.page Rewardful.com Greg Park Mitchell Davis from RecruitKit.com.au Marcel Fahle, wearebold.af Bill Condo (@mavrck) Ward from MemberSpace.com Evandro Sasse Austin Loveless Michael Sitver Colin Gray Dave Giunta Want to start a podcast on Transistor? Justin has a special coupon for you: get 15% off your first year of hosting: transistor.fm/justin ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

In this bonus episode, Justin interviews his 18-year-old daughter, Sadie, about:A Gen Z perspective on podcastingWhy women are the future of podcasting: Edison Research"Now, look at the rookies – 47% are men, but the majority, 53% are women.""Most women get their podcast recommendations from Spotify, social media, or their friends."We talk a lot about podcast advertising, podcast ads, and how the adtech industry should think differently about how they target women."Most podcast ads are just men talking to men."What should we talk about next?Twitter: @buildyoursaas, @mijustin, @jonbudaLeave a review/comment on Podchaser; it's like Reddit, but for podcasts.Email us: mail@transistor.fmThanks to our monthly supporters:Anton Zorin from ProdCamp.comMitchHarris Kenny, Intro CRM podcastOleg KulykViolette Du GenevilleTake It EV podcastEthan GundersonDiogoChris WillowBorja SolerWard Sandler, MemberspaceEric LimaJames Sowers (like Flowers)Travis FischerMatt BuckleyRussell BrownEvandro SassePradyumna Shembekar (PD)Noah PrailColin GrayJosh SmithIvan CurkovicShane SmithAustin LovelessSimon BennettMichael SitverPaul Jarvis and Jack Ellis, Dan Buda Darby FreySamori AugustoDave YoungBrad from CanadaSammy SchuckertMike WalkerAdam DuVanderDave Giunta (JOOnta)Kyle Fox GetRewardful.com Thanks to our monthly supporters Pascal from sharpen.page Rewardful.com Greg Park Mitchell Davis from RecruitKit.com.au Marcel Fahle, wearebold.af Bill Condo (@mavrck) Ward from MemberSpace.com Evandro Sasse Austin Loveless Michael Sitver Colin Gray Dave Giunta Want to start a podcast on Transistor? Justin has a special coupon for you: get 15% off your first year of hosting: transistor.fm/justin ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★